MEC332 – Sacred Tension Reading Group

Biblical Studies, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This six-week course is designed for learners who want to read William P. Brown’s book Sacred Tension in community with an instructor and other learners. The course will provide a schedule for reading the book so you can read and reflect on the material throughout the week, then share your reflections with others. It may be of special interest if you have taken the “Teaching Sacred Tension to Local Congregations” course, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the whole book before leading a course in your local church.

MEC272 – Old Testament Through a Different Lens: The Prophets/Nevi’im

Biblical Studies, Courses

This course examines Scripture through lenses other than those familiar to us as Christians. It looks at the Prophets—from Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, to the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament—and connects them to the contexts and experiences of ancient and modern Israel. It will focus on the “bad” kings, the heroes, the judges, the building of the nation into a unified monarchy and its dissolution. You will discover the many times Israel was invaded and dispersed in antiquity and see the role of prophetic voices in the exile/captivity, as well as learning more about how God works in the lives of Biblical figures. Finally, it will bring the insights of these ancient prophets into a modern context.

MEC271 – Old Testament Through A Different Lens: Torah and Beyond

Biblical Studies, Courses

Old Testament? Hebrew Bible? TANAKH? In this course, we will journey through the first six books of the Bible through a different lens by using the works of rabbis and renowned Jewish theologians and scholars, past and present. Learners will be exposed to Jewish interpretations of Torah and beyond without the requirement of familiarity with Judaism or reading Hebrew.

LSM331 – Teaching Sacred Tension in Local Congregations

Biblical Studies, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This course is for laity and clergy who want to have a dialogue with scripture, even if they’ve never before thought of the Bible as a discussion. While the book provides a new framework for looking at repeating themes in scripture, the course will also teach us how to take this information back to our local church, deepening our ability to be in dialogue with the Bible and with each other.

MEC273 – Old Testament Through a Different Lens: Ketuvim/Writings

Biblical Studies, Courses

This course examines the Ketuvim/Writings, sometimes described as “the least holy books of the Hebrew Bible,” by studying familiar Biblical writings through lenses other than what Christians often use. It examines the “historical books” of the Old Testament and connects them to the prophetic voices and Torah when appropriate. You’ll learn about the post-Exilic period when the Jews returned to Israel and began rebuilding, as well as looking at the poetic writings, histories (Ruth), and stories of woe (Job and Lamentations). The Ketuvim/Writings also introduces apocalyptic literature (Daniel) and its puzzling symbols and metaphors.